ATFS, SAF, and ACF Partner for Better Forests

Benefits Foresters and Forest Landowners.......

The Partners for Better Forests initiative is a collaborative effort between the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), the Society of American Foresters (SAF), and the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF).  The initiative aims to increase the number of engaged Tree Farm inspectors across the United States providing landowners with tools needed for on-the-ground support and promote better forest stewardship.

Because members of ACF and SAF have traditionally been those who have volunteered their time to work as Tree Farm inspectors and committee members, Partners for Better Forests is rewarding participating foresters with membership dues support to their respective professional association.

In return for completing two reinspections or two initial inspections, the program will give foresters $100 to be applied toward the annual dues of ACF or SAF. The money will be paid directly to SAF or ACF and will result in a $100 dues reduction for the member forester.

Click here for more information on the initiative.

Farm Bill Programs and Forest Landowners

There is still time to contact your members of Congress and let them know how important Farm Bill programs are to forest landowners.  The House and Senate Agriculture Committees were unable to meet the November 1^st deadline to submit their 2012 Farm Bill proposals.  They need to make $23 billion dollars in cuts to the program.  We are still waiting to hear the details on what they propose to cut.

The American Tree Farm System provides a Policy and Advocacy page which may be of some assistance.  On this page you will find information relating to the next Farm Bill and how it impacts forest landowners. You can also write a letter directly to your Congressional representative letting them know how important it is that forest landowners continue to be represented.

Craig and Janet Olver, Pennsylvania Tree Farmers from Wayne County, wrote an op-ed piece to their local paper, the Scranton-Times Tribune encouraging congress not to abandon forest conservation.  Craig realizes we have to do our part to get the deficit down but his hope is that conservation does not take an unfair hit.

Sunday Hunting in Pennsylvania?

There is curently a  bill in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (HB 1760), sponsored by Rep. John Evans (R-Erie/Crawford), that would lift the ban on Sunday hunting and allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to determine if Sunday hunting could take place, for what species and during which seasons.  Let's hear what you think?

Read an article entitled Should Pennsylvania Allow Hunting on Sundays? TV Smart Talk.
It was is posted on WITF and written by  Nell McCormack Abomin, on Thursday, 03 November 2011

Click here to view the Smart Talk Debate over lifting Pennsylvania's ban on Sunday hunting posted on WITF.

November PA Forests Web Seminar Center Webinar

Penn State Natural Resources Extension is proud to have Gerald Hoy, Service Forester with the PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry, presenting a webinar on Management Plans: Planning for Your Forests Future, 

The Forest Management plan is used to provide an overview of a woodland property in the context of a landowner's needs and objectives. This webinar will focus on the what, where, why, when and how of forest management plans, including short- and long-term forest planning. The parts of a plan outlined include goals, objectives, and recommendations to reach them. We will touch on where to find professionals for guidance during the planning process and possible funding opportunities for planning and implementation.

Each session is recorded and loaded onto the Web Seminar Center along with a copy of the presentation and any handout materials. So, if you are unable to participate in the "live" session, a recording of it will be available for you to view at your convenience. To participate in the live seminars you must register and have a "Friend of Penn State" user ID. The "Register Now" page on the website will walk you through this process. Tuesday, November 8th at noon and again at 7 p.m. Each seminar lasts approximately one hour.